Evolution: A Warlock's Rise To Power

Brax got out of his capsule and started his day. Since Marie and the others were already gone, he fixed himself some breakfast and went to the basement to workout.

After his shower, he pulled out one of his new suits. He would be returning to Terracorp today. Hopefully they had prepared a serious offer this time. If not, he was prepared to walk away. He had already made up his mind that he didn't need them. It would be nice to work with his uncle but if it wasn't meant to be, he would find somebody else.

If it came down to it, he could ask SuperSleuth to point him in the right direction.

Looking spiffy in a dark navy suit, Brax got into his Aero Specter and headed towards his meeting.

Walking to the front of the building, he found his uncle Bo waiting for him outside.

"Hey punk, I thought you were going to keep me waiting all day."

"What are you talking about, I am five minutes early."

"Psh, the board asked me to wait here earlier and see you in."

"Ha, ha, it's not my fault they can't wait."

Bo led Brax into the building and they took an elevator to the 50th floor. Unlike last time where they met at a conference room on the 2nd floor.

He was led into a large room with glass windows that stretched from floor to ceiling. From here, Brax could see almost all of Flower city with the ocean stretching out behind it.

Right now, only Brax and his uncle were in the room.

"Just so you know, we have attracted a few new investors. All though they will not be here they will be watching in via webcam. Even I don't know who they are, but their presence has gotten the bosses excited. Don't push to hard or the board may drop you since they have a couple billionaires willing to invest now."

"Tsk." Brax clicked his tongue. "If they can offer a good deal, I will be nice. If not… There is nothing you can offer me that I can't find elsewhere."

Bo chuckled and shook his head. As much as he wanted the deal to happen, he knew that Brax didn't start playing to earn millions. He played to entertain himself and cover his expenses. He had already got what he wanted. Terracorp had very little leverage over his nephew. This time he hadn't been able to see the contract they were going to offer him and didn't know if things would be better than the last time.

The door opened as the lawyers, executives and high-ranking members of the Goblin Crushers entered and took their seats on the far side of the table. Bo went to join them.

Brax continued to stand before the window looking at the city spread bellow him. He may not care much for money, but he would need more of it if he wanted to give Jenna everything she desired. He wanted her to be proud of her boyfriend as he stood a top the world and not regret being with a person like him. Even though she didn't want much and seemed to be happy with a simple life. She grew up in one of the richest families in the country, surely, she would be accustomed to a certain lifestyle. He wished to give her that type of life and even more.

"Ugh, hem." One of the executives cleared his throat. "Mr. Tomlin, we are ready to begin."

Brax turned around with a deadpan face showing no emotion. "Are you?" He asked.

A lawyer set a camera on the table and pointed it towards Lucan's chair. "We will be broadcasting this meeting to those who were unable to attend."

"As you wish." Brax replied flippantly, as if a subordinate was asking a pointless question to his superior.

Brax pulled out his chair and took his seat. He gazed at the many people seated across from him and then into the camera. At no point did he touch or even look at the contract that was already placed before him, he just continued to stare at the executives in silence.

"…"

"…"

"…"

"Mr. Tomlin, we have looked into what you have previously mentioned and it appears we did underestimate your abilities, but we also discovered that you aren't as infallible as you led us to believe. We are aware that you were assassinated in your own territory, twice. What do you have to say about this?" Asked the Director of Finance.

"… You did your homework." Brax said with a stoic expression and said nothing more.

Several board members frowned at his lack of response.

"You should be aware that there are more and more fortresses being captured in the elemental realm every day. I am sure you know that the size of the elemental plane makes the shadow realm pale in comparison."

"Do those fortresses have the backing of the Supreme Ruler of the realm? Or are they in a nonstop conflict between the various elemental factions because no one is able to unify the land?"

"…"

"…"

"…"

"If you want to open a marketplace in the Shadow realm, tell me why I should allow it."

***

10 floors up in conference room sat several businessmen and women while they watched a broadcast of the meeting bellow.

"How arrogant. We can't possibly invest in someone who doesn't even take Terracrop seriously." A man said.

"Hmm, I don't know, I find his confidence intriguing." Said a woman. "The question is, 'Will he make us money?' nothing else is important."

"There is no way I can support someone who doesn't respect his elders." Said an older woman.

Suddenly the man at the head of table lightly knocked his knuckles on the surface, silencing the discussion as they all turned towards him.

"Have any of you seen the new deal they have offered him?"

He asked.

"Yes."

"Of course."

"We all looked it over."

The man at the head of the table spoke again. "And if you were in his position, would you take it?"

"…"

The man cast his gaze to the three siting with him.

"No."

"Absolutely not."

"I would walk away."

He nodded and didn't say anything else.

***

Brax tossed the contract to the floor and looked at his watch.

"If you want to have a marketplace in the shadow realm, you have five minutes to convince me or the only time you will ever see me in this building again is when I drop off the lunch aunty made for Mr. Hekin… Begin now."

The people on the other side of the table looked at each, unsure of what to do.

*Ring* *Ring* *Ring*

The direct phoneline sitting on the conference table started to ring. The Director of operations picked it up and covered his mouth and spoke quietly for a minute before hanging it up. He then leaned in and whispered to the executives around him.

"The investors are willing to support this project even if we no longer match funds with them."

"What, the higher ups from the Slumber Dragon Group always picked the best deals and have always maintained high returns on their investments. If they sense something good here, we can't let them take all of the profits themselves."

Very quickly the attitudes of Terracorp changed and they began talking about the benefits they could bring to the table. After five minutes had passed, Brax did not stop them and instead started to participate in the discussion while the group of lawyers began to right up a new contract on the spot as the two parties came to an agreement.

4 hours later, several copies of a contract were passed around and signed by the parties involved.

"Mr. Tomlin, we greatly look forward to working with you. Tomorrow we shall send some people over to get the lay of the land and begin to get things in motion."

"Good. If there is nothing else, I will be on my way." He said while getting up.

"Bo, why don't you walk Mr. Tomlin out of the building. We will leave the management of this project in your hands."

"Thank you." Uncle Bo said to his bosses respectfully before he and Brax left.

***

The four executives from the Slumbering Dragon Group entered the conference room that uncle and nephew had left minutes ago.

"We were surprised to see that the investors from Slumbering Dragon are interested in this project. There is a bit of risk involved." Said a board member from Terracorp.

"There is always risk in investment." Said the man who led the three other executives in. "But I am interested to see what this young man can do."

"Yes, I think Mr. Tomlin has great promise. You have great eyes to see his potential." A random employee from Terracorp said while trying to flatter the president of Slumber Dragon Group.

"Mmm, I want to send one of my own people to help oversee this project and report to me incase he is doing anything that would move against our interests."

"Yes, of course, that is no problem at all. We are thankful for your investment and hope for a long and prosperous working relationship Mr. Beneil."